CONVERSATIONS

After breakfast, my sister-in-law and I had the best conversation! It was so great to sit down and talk. Beat the mess out of any sightseeing we've done so far. You just can't top quality time with family. Ellen had her big presentation today: a long speech on Somalia, complete with slides, food, and artifacts. She's been practicing for a long time. So when she came in afterschool, we were dying to know the report. A+...Way to go, Ellen!

David went over to a friends house to play, and Ellen and Annette went to an orthodontist appointment, leaving Dan and me free to take a short trip to Luneburg. Their Chrismtas Market was much smaller than yesterday's, but the city is so old-fashioned, and it is a short drive. I enjoyed listening to Dan in the car and while he gave me a tour of the city. He sure knows a lot about German history and geography! On the way back, we picked up David. When we arrived home, Ellen told us that her principal had called to congratulate her on doing such a good job on her speech. Good news gets around fast!

Farewell, Luneburg...

A favorite parkbench...

The city washed in shadows...

The dramatic cathedral...

Like stepping into Narnia...

Looks inviting, but supper is waiting back home...

A restaurant's back courtyard...

Window shopping...

Another view of the Luneburg market...

...

Dramatic lighting...

A romantic alley...

The streets get crowded...

Dusk approaches...

Every Christmas Market has at least one Nativity...

Luneburg's Rathaus

Luneburg's tiny Christmas Market...

Luneburg...

I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING...

Today's theme was music. Music was my companion at the Christmas Market, following me around to every booth and down each street. Spending the day surrounded by singing and playing Germans, the experience made me realize that the language barrier I've been facing while visiting here has some pretty big holes in it. After spending the morning at the Hamburg Christmas market, I sat on the train during the ride home, remembering the music I'd heard. I realized I'd never felt closer to the German people or more a part of what was happening here. Music helped me feel like less of an outsider. If I didn't know the songs, then at least I knew why they were singing them. The joy of Christmas is universal!

And tonight, when Dan brought me to the Adventskonzert (Christmas Concert) at St. Johannis Church in Buchholz, that feeling of connection, communion, communication...whatever... That feeling grew as the singers and musicians poured their hearts into the Christmas music. When they sang in Latin and German or played wordless melodies, they were communicating with a language much older than any other language on Earth, older than Earth itself: the language of Love.

Tonight, after we got home, Ellen sang a christmas song for me, and Daniel joined in. And I thanked God for the gift of Life, the gift of Music, the gift of Family, the gift of Love, the gift of Christmas, the gift that this day was! And now, I'm giving that gift to you. Enjoy!